Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo

Caught Our Eye

U.S. Senate continues to pay its non-white staffers thousands less per year

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on July 11, 2022

Both parties pay their non-white Senate staffers thousands of dollars less per year, according to a LegiStorm analysis of the chamber's most recent salary data.

Hispanic staffers are the lowest paid racial group among Senate Republicans and make 92 percent that of the median white GOP staffer. That difference amounts to $4,700 less per year. Senate Democrats' lowest-paid racial group, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, make 81 percent that of the median white Democratic staffer, or $12,300 less per year.

Non-white state staffers acoss both parties make 91 percent compared to white state staffers, or $5,600 less per year. The gap is higher in D.C., where the Senate pays non-white staffers 86 percent that of white staff, or $9,100 less.

The pay gap holds true across all staff functions and is highest among communications staffers. This does not compare exact job titles.

Among Senate Democrats, racial minorities account for 30 percent of staff. Only eight percent of Senate Republican staffers are non-white.